MUSIC Overview of Music Program: The Music Department encourages all students to work to their full potential within the Music Program offered at Portsmouth High School. For the success of our students, we offer several choral and instrumental/ band programs, music theory, music history, guitar, keyboard and music technology. The music curriculum is aligned with the following Rhode Island Common Core State Standards for grade 9 – 12 approved by the Board of Regents in 2010. Portsmouth School Department GLE/GSE/National Standards for Music Artistic Processes – The human experience can be created and recreated through sound. • Students show evidence of music literacy (reading, writing, and understanding of the symbols of sound) • Students show evidence of improvising, composing, and arranging Cultural Contexts – Music connects and expresses history and culture around the globe. • Students show evidence of cultural and historical understanding of familiar and unfamiliar music • Students show evidence of connecting music to the arts and other disciplines Communication – Music of diverse genres is performed in a variety of settings. • Students perform music alone and with others in a variety of settings Aesthetic Judgment- Music knowledge is applied through reflection and evaluation of the music of self and others. • Students analyze and describe music • Students evaluate music CONCERT CHORUSCourse 1963 1 creditThis course is open to singers of any ability. Emphasis is placed on the improvement of vocal skills, music literacy, and performance through the use of part-singing. The chorus presents several concerts each year that include classical, popular, and contemporary literature. All performances are mandatory. New members are required to have a placement audition for voice part assignment. This course may be used to fulfill the fine arts graduation requirement.

SELECT CONCERT CHOIRCourse 1966 1 creditThe concert choir is a performing ensemble for men and women (SATB). The choir performs challenging literature from all periods and styles of vocal music with an emphasis on a capella singing. The focus of the course is to develop music literacy through singing. Students in Concert Choir join the Concert Chorus for all major performances. In addition they present several concerts during the year in the community and at festivals. All performances are mandatory. This course may be used to fulfill the fine arts requirement. Course Requirements: successful completion of at least one year of high school chorus plus audition with director or permission from director.

VOCAL ENSEMBLE Course 1964 1 credit

This is a select group of singers interested in performing challenging SSA literature from all periods and styles. Emphasis is placed on music literacy and performance. Members of the Vocal Ensemble join the concert chorus for all major concerts. In addition, they perform several times a year in the community and at festivals. May be used to fulfill the fine arts graduation requirement. Recommendations: Open to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students with teacher approval and an audition for voice part placement. STRING ENSEMBLE Course 1973 1 credit

This class is open to all students with or without previous string playing experience. Beginning students will learn to care for, tune and proficiently play one of the four orchestral instruments: violin, viola, cello or double bass. Students with previous playing experience will have the opportunity to play more challenging repertoire. STEAM elements and literacy strands are incorporated into the daily music curriculum fostering students’ creativity and innovation in the classroom. A wide variety of music repertoire is explored for school and community performance events throughout the school year. GUITAR I Course 1960 .5 credit

This course explores music through the discipline of guitar playing. The students gain basic knowledge of proper playing habits, basic chord progressions and note reading. Students also participate in small ensemble playing. Each student is encouraged to provide his/her own guitar since there is a very limited number of instruments available. If students wish to use electric guitars, no practice amps or pedals are allowed in class. No previous knowledge of the guitar is necessary. May be used toward fulfillment of Rhode Island GSEs in Music. 47 GUITAR II Course 1969 .5 credit

Students continue to develop their knowledge and skills in note reading, chords, progressions and advanced guitar techniques. In this course more emphasis is placed on ensemble playing. Each student is encouraged to provide his/her own guitar and organizational binder. If students wish to use electric guitars, practice amplifiers and pedals are not allowed in class. May be used toward fulfillment of Rhode Island GSEs in Music. Recommendation: Successful completion of Guitar I or permission of the instructor.

HISTORY OF JAZZ/ IMPROVISATION Course 1974 .5 credit

This class will be divided into two parts, the first being the history of Jazz music--Jazz from its early roots to present day jazz. Prominent musicians from each time period will be discussed in relation to their music, influences, and contribution to jazz music. The second half of the course will be spent learning the basic fundamentals of jazz improvisation on the student’s own instrument. Each student will have the opportunity to improvise in many different jazz styles. This course may be used to fulfill fine arts graduation requirement. FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC THEORY Course 1975 .5 credit

This course is highly recommended for all students wishing to fulfill their Fine Arts Proficiency Based Graduation Requirement by selecting Music. Students will explore music form its origins to the present. Among the genres to be discussed are folk, jazz, rock and roll, country and the most recent trends in American music today. Students will also study the elements of music, musical terms and symbols, the basic building blocks of harmony as well as sight reading, ear training and musical dictation. This course will also offer an introduction to music and technologies through the use of the keyboard lab. (May be used to fulfill fine arts graduation requirement) Recommendations: Prior experience with a musical instrument, voice, piano or musical notation is useful but not required. ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY Course 1972 1 credit

Students who wish to study music theory for an entire year will enroll in the AP class. Students should be highly motivated and interested in musicianship, elementary theory, harmony and dictation, structure of music, etc. All students will be required to complete the AP exam in May at a cost of approximately $100 in order to receive credit for the course. Recommendations: Successful completion of Fundamentals of Music Theory course or permission of instructor.

This course explores music through the discipline of piano playing and reading music notation. Basic music composition will be introduced through the use of Finale music software. The student will gain a basic knowledge of keyboard structure, playing songs in a successive progression of difficulty. Emphasis is on reading notation and playing simple melodies with basic chord progressions. No previous knowledge of music is necessary. This course may be used toward fulfillment of the Rhode Island GSEs in music.

PIANO II Course 1962 .5 credit Students continue to develop their knowledge of chords and progressions. Emphasis is on playing and reading more challenging material, the development of technique and expanding the repertoire. Students continue to explore more advanced music composition using the Finale music software. This course may be used toward fulfillment of the GSEs in music. Recommendation: Successful completion of Piano 1 or permission from instructor.

CONCERT BAND Course 1970 1 credit This course is open to students in grade 9. Students in Grade 10, 11, and 12, may take this course with approval of teacher. Band literature at a medium level will be studied and performed. Emphasis is placed on musicianship and the development of music fundamentals. Performances include football games, parades, school concerts, festivals, and any other functions at which the band is asked to perform. Course requirements include: after-school rehearsals, attendance at regular classes, a week of band camp (usually last week in August), and participation in the Marching Band. Members of this group and Symphonic Band will be combined for Marching Band. There will be a performance assessment requirement at end of school year. This assessment must be passed for continuation into Symphonic Band. This course may be used to fulfill fine arts graduation requirement.

SYMPHONIC BAND Course 1971 1 credit This course is open to students in grade 10, 11, and 12. Band literature at a medium to advanced level will be studied and performed. Emphasis is placed on musicianship and working together to produce a well-balanced sound. Performances include football games, parades, school concerts, festivals, and any other functions at which the band is asked to perform. Course requirements include: after-school rehearsals, attendance at regular classes, a week of band camp (usually last week in August), and Participation in the Marching Band. (May be used to fulfill fine arts graduation requirement) Recommendations: Completion of Concert Band or passing grade on a performance assessment. MUSIC & COMPUTERS Course 1978 .5 credit This course will explore the fundamentals of creating and organizing music with computers. This course will cover basic skills in music notation, digital recording, MIDI, live audio sequencing, and electronic hardware. Students will be using software applications to create and arrange music. Students will also focus on how to create multimedia files which may be integrated for use in the Internet, multimedia projects and computer programs. Fundamentals on how to transfer music with mp3 players will be covered. Keyboard skills are helpful but not necessary. Enrollment is open to all students, grades 9-12. (May be used to fulfill technology graduation requirement)

STRING ENSEMBLEThe PHS String Ensemble class is open to all students with or without previous string playing experience. Beginning students will learn to care for, tune and proficiently play one of the four orchestral instruments: violin, viola, cello or double bass. Students with previous playing experience will have the opportunity to play more challenging repertoire. STEAM elements and literacy strands are incorporated into the daily music curriculum fostering students’ creativity and innovation in the classroom. A wide variety of music repertoire is explored for school and community performance events throughout the school year.